Wowza - totally thought i was reading the wrong think at first - the joke about Hamlet and pork still has me pondering. Anyways after quadrupole checking that i was reading the right thing, i read on. And even though in this version Gertrude is the murderer (always the quiet ones), i actually quite like her character.
I think Margaret Atwood has been very clever by putting elements of Hamlet's wit into Gertrude's personality - after all that good old sense of humor has to come from somewhere, and his father didn't exactly seem a barrel of laughs. And although i didn't really think her personality would be as 'strong' as Margaret has portrayed her to be, it works really well. I agree with the things Margaret has put, because although Gertrude has opinions, she still has remained concerned about Hamlet; even though Gertrude is telling Hamlet off for being so nosey and inappropriate about her sex life, she still wants Hammy to "have a nice roll in the hay".
However, i also disagree with Atwoods' interpretation slightly because, as Alice and i discussed in class today, Gertrude doesn't actually mention her sex life at all, and she chooses not to respond to the things young Hammy comes out with. So, personally, i think it's not really in her personality to discuss her sex life with her son, as normal as that may sound (sarcasm there), and i really don't think a mother would say "And every time I felt like a little, you know, just to warm up my ageing bones" to her son.
Now after blabbering on, i cant really decide whether i like this version of Gert or not. In fact, no i dont. I know i've changed my mind from the beginning of this blogatron but i think she's a bit of a hypocrit after calling her dead husband selfish, which just makes me want to go up to her and say "What non-selfish reasons did you commit murder for then?". I expect silence as her reply, well either that or she'll run and get a sword to kill me with.
So long, farewell, auf weidersehn, adieu....
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